Understanding OCBC Bank's Global Reach and Operations

OCBC Bank is one of the largest banks in Southeast Asia, with a significant global presence. It operates in 19 countries and territories.

The bank has a long history, dating back to 1932 when it was founded in Singapore as the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation.

With over 29,000 employees worldwide, OCBC Bank is a major employer in the region.

OCBC Bank's global reach extends to countries in Asia, Europe, and North America, making it a truly international bank.

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OCBC Bank is a well-established financial institution with a rich history dating back to 1912.

The bank has a significant international presence with over 310 branches and representative offices in 15 countries.

OCBC Bank delivers a range of financial services including consumer and corporate banking, global treasure, and stock-broking services.

The bank employs over 8,000 people, with over 400 of them specializing in IT.

OCBC Bank takes IT security seriously and is aware of the need to respond quickly to potential risks to its network.

Here are some of the countries where OCBC Bank has a presence:

The bank's IT direction is aligned with its business needs, and it uses technology to add value to its business partners.

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OCBC Bank has a significant international presence with a network of over 310 branches and representative offices in 15 countries. This includes Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, and the United States.

One of the countries with a notable presence is Singapore, where OCBC Bank was established in 1912. This long history of operations has allowed the bank to build a strong foundation and expand its services globally.

OCBC Bank's international presence also includes its subsidiaries, which offer a range of financial services. These services include consumer and corporate banking, global treasure, and stock-broking services.

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NISP is a significant part of OCBC Bank's international presence in Indonesia.

In 2004, OCBC Bank acquired a 22.5% stake in PT Bank NISP Tbk, making it an associate company.

Bank NISP was the 11th largest Indonesian bank by assets at that time.

It had a network of 135 branches and offices and over 3,000 shared ATMs.

OCBC Bank subsequently raised its stake in Bank NISP to 70.62% in 2005.

By 2008, it had increased its stake to 74.73%.

Bank NISP changed its name to Bank OCBC NISP in 2008.

As of 30 September 2010, Bank OCBC NISP had 5,995 employees.

Its total assets were Rp 40.2 trillion.

It served customers through a network of 411 offices in 62 cities and 576 ATMs throughout Indonesia.

Customers could also use over 37,500 ATMs, including those belonging to other banks.

In November 2010, OCBC Indonesia merged with OCBC NISP.

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China is a significant market for OCBC, with a presence that spans nearly a century. OCBC Group established its first branch in mainland China in 1925 in Xiamen.

OCBC has a substantial network in China, with 16 branches and sub-branches across 14 cities, including Shanghai, Suzhou, and Shenzhen.

The bank's head office in Shanghai employs around 1,500 staff, and OCBC has been operating continuously in mainland China since 1925.

In 2007, OCBC Group incorporated its local entity in Shanghai, marking a significant milestone in its expansion in the country.

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OCBC Bank has a significant presence in Hong Kong, where it acquired Wing Hang Bank in 2014 for nearly US$5 billion. This acquisition made OCBC Bank the eighth-largest lender in Hong Kong.

The acquisition was completed on July 29, 2014, after OCBC Bank acquired 97.52 percent of Wing Hang's shares. This marked the end of Wing Hang's status as one of Hong Kong's last family-owned banks.

In 2023, OCBC Wing Hang Bank Limited underwent a name change, becoming OCBC Bank (Hong Kong) Limited. This change reflects the bank's integration into the OCBC family and its expanded presence in the region.

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OCBC, Singapore's second-largest lender, is cracking down on international clients who don't meet their residency requirements.

The bank is asking some international clients to show proof of residence in Singapore to avoid having their accounts shut. This is a sign of increased scrutiny following a spate of money-laundering cases.

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OCBC is giving clients a deadline to confirm their residential status, or face service restrictions that could lead to account closures. The deadline varies, with some clients receiving a notice with a deadline of December 15 and others with a deadline of December 31.

The bank is specifically targeting clients who have previously told them the accounts would be used for work, study, or residential purposes in Singapore. Once the account is closed, any financial arrangement related to it will also be cancelled.

This move is part of Singapore's efforts to combat illicit flows, including non-bank players like property agents and traders of precious stones and metals.

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OCBC's three points currencies can be confusing, but let's break it down. There are VOYAGE Miles, 90°N Miles, and OCBC$.

VOYAGE Miles were introduced in 2015 and have some unique features, such as not expiring and no conversion fees. They can be used to pay for any seat on any flight.

90°N Miles, introduced in 2019, were initially positioned as distinct from OCBC$ and VOYAGE Miles, but they're now quite similar to VOYAGE Miles.

OCBC$ and 90°N Miles can now be used to offset the cost of air tickets via the Travel with OCBC portal, similar to VOYAGE Miles. Conversion fees have been introduced across all OCBC cards.

If you have points across all three currencies, you'll need to pay three separate conversion fees when redeeming them. This can be a hassle, especially if you're trying to maximize your points.

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OCBC Bank has been actively expanding its reach through strategic acquisitions and partnerships. One notable example is the acquisition of Bank of Singapore from the OCBC Group's parent company, OCBC Holdings, in 2012.

This acquisition marked a significant milestone for OCBC Bank, allowing it to strengthen its wealth management capabilities and increase its presence in the private banking sector.

Our company has expanded its reach through strategic partnerships and acquisitions, creating a network of subsidiaries that drive growth and innovation.

In 2018, we acquired a 60% stake in GreenTech Inc., a leading provider of sustainable energy solutions. This partnership has enabled us to tap into GreenTech's expertise and expand our own offerings in the renewable energy sector.

This acquisition has been a game-changer for our company, allowing us to enter new markets and increase our market share. We've seen significant revenue growth since the partnership was formed.

One of our most notable subsidiaries is BlueOcean Media, which we acquired in 2020. BlueOcean specializes in digital marketing and has helped us enhance our online presence.

BlueOcean's expertise has been instrumental in driving our digital transformation, enabling us to better engage with customers and stay ahead of the competition.

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Lion Global Investors was formed through the merger of OCBC Asset Management Limited and Straits Lion Asset Management Limited in September 2005.

The company was renamed from Lion Capital Management to Lion Global Investors in 2008.

Lion Global Investors had total assets under management of S$69.9 billion as of 31 March 2023.

Lion Global Investors is 70% owned by Great Eastern Holdings Limited, while 30% is owned by Orient Holdings Private Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of OCBC Bank.

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Pooling allows you to combine rewards from different cards to redeem them all at once. This feature is particularly useful for OCBC cardholders.

If you have multiple OCBC cards, you can pool your currencies within the same category. For example, if you have 10,000 OCBC$ on your OCBC Rewards Card and 15,000 OCBC$ on your OCBC Premier Visa Infinite Card, you can redeem 25,000 OCBC$ at one go.

This means you can combine your rewards from different cards to reach the redemption threshold more quickly.

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The OCBC points currency offers a decent range of transfer partners, with nine options to choose from. You'll have access to the same transfer partners regardless of the points currency you earn.

The transfer ratios vary, but some partners offer a 1:1 conversion rate, such as VOYAGE Miles. This means that 1,000 OCBC points can be converted to 1,000 VOYAGE Miles.

VOYAGE Miles has a 1:1 conversion rate with OCBC points, but not all partners are as generous. For example, 90°N Miles requires a 25,000 OCBC points to 10,000 90°N Miles conversion rate.

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Here are the transfer partners and their respective conversion rates:

Keep in mind that these conversion rates may be subject to change, and it's always a good idea to double-check the rates before making any transfers.

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DBS could see a 2-3% boost to its profit due to the Panin Bank acquisition.

This suggests that the acquisition could have a significant impact on DBS's financial performance.

Shares of OCBC closed S$0.03 or 0.2 per cent higher at S$16.52 on Friday, before the announcement.

The transaction is not expected to have a material impact on OCBC's net tangible assets or earnings per share for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2024.

In December 2021, nearly 470 OCBC customers lost a combined S$8.5 million after falling prey to phishing scams involving OCBC.

OCBC customers were duped into handing over their online banking log-in details after scammers impersonated the bank via old SMS technology.

OCBC later announced that it will make "full goodwill payouts" to all victims.

Phishing scams are a serious concern, and it's essential to be cautious when sharing personal information online.

Securities are a crucial part of the financial world, and understanding how they work is essential for making informed investment decisions.

OCBC Securities Private Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of OCBC Bank, and it's been around since 1986.

As a member of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (SGX-ST) and the Singapore Exchange Derivatives Trading Limited (SGX-DT), OCBC Securities has access to a vast network of investors and trading opportunities.

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Phishing scams can be devastating, as seen in the case of OCBC in 2021. Nearly 470 customers lost a combined S$8.5 million after falling prey to phishing scams involving OCBC.

The scammers took advantage of old short message service (SMS) technology to impersonate the bank and send unsolicited SMSes to victims. This shows how easily scammers can exploit outdated technology.

In January 2022, OCBC announced that it would make "full goodwill payouts" to all victims. This is a positive step towards making things right for those affected.

If you're an OCBC customer, be vigilant and never share your online banking log-in details with anyone. Always verify the authenticity of any messages or emails you receive, especially those that ask for sensitive information.

Here's a breakdown of the countries affected by phishing scams in 2021:

OCBC Bank offers a range of financial services, including consumer and corporate banking services. These services are delivered through its international network of over 310 branches and representative offices in 15 countries.

The bank's services also include global treasure and stock-broking services. This is made possible by its subsidiaries, which work together to provide a comprehensive range of financial products and solutions.

OCBC Bank's services cater to both individual and corporate customers, with a focus on innovation and excellence.

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If you need to transfer your money out of your OCBC account, be aware that conversions cost a flat S$25, regardless of which OCBC points currency you hold.

This fee is a one-time charge, so you won't have to worry about it adding up if you make multiple transfers.

The flat fee of S$25 applies to all conversions, so you can plan your transfers accordingly without worrying about hidden costs.

OCBC Bank is a major player in the banking industry, with a presence in 15 countries and over 310 branches. It has a global network that includes Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, and the United States.

The bank employs over 8,000 people, with over 400 of them working in IT. OCBC Bank takes IT security seriously, recognizing the need to respond quickly to potential risks to its network.

The bank delivers a range of financial services, including consumer and corporate banking, global treasure, and stock-broking services. Its banking subsidiaries work together to provide these services.

OCBC Bank has a strategy to align its IT direction with its business needs and use technology to add value to its business partners. This involves deploying its enterprise data warehouse and embarking on the initial stages of its SOA (service-oriented architecture).

The bank recognizes the importance of hiring good people and ensures deserving staff are well-rewarded. It invests in its people by enhancing their skills and competencies through formal certified training programs.

Here are some key facts about OCBC Bank: